Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Who is Lupita Nyong’o’s Maz Kanata?

Yesterday saw a lot of new tid bits released about The Force Awakens. We learned who’s behind the masks of Kylo Ren and Captain Phasma, not to mention saw new pictures of our heroes on set. The biggest question that remains, however, is about Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o’s new CGI performance capture role. For months, all sorts of rumors flew around of her being everything from a Sith Inquisitor to a Jedi guru. Well, now we know the basics and we’re here to share them with you.

Who is Lupita Nyong’o playing?

Apparently she’s playing a pirate named Maz Kanata.

Do we know anything else about her?

Not much. We don’t know the species or affliction of the character, but if she’s a pirate it’s a safe bet she knows Han Solo. Whether that’s a good or bad thing for our heroes… that remains to be seen.

Where do they find her?

While there’s not much official material to go off of, the rumor is that Maz Kanata makes her home on a castle that our heroes will visit. Some names it’s rumored to go by are “Exotic City,” the “Golan District,” and “The Hall of Mirrors.” It’s very possible the shot of the assorted aliens in front a stone background is part of that set. As for what planet the castle is set on, it’s most likely a new planet created by the filmmakers, as the only planets in the Star Wars universe with castles on them at present are devoid of sentient life.

Why would they go there?

Unfortunately, we don’t know. Usually in movies such as this Maz is the character you go to for information. Often, you’ll see colorful character pop up in a big movie to provide exposition to the characters and further the plot along. One recent example would be the Collector in Guardians of the Galaxy or the Dr. Zola AI in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Whether she has a bigger part to play in the greater plot of The Force Awakens or in future films is a mystery.